Connect with us

News

Parliament sittings for 2024 to commence on Jan. 09

Published

on

Acting Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Chaminda Kularatne stated that the Parliament is scheduled to meet from Jan. 09 – 12.

This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on the 12th of December under the chairmanship of Speaker – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

Accordingly, on the 09th of January 2024 from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. time has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers. Thereafter from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation Bill (Second Reading) and the National Hydrographic Bill (Second Reading), Regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act published under the Gazette No. 2355/30, Regulations under the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Law published under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2334/39 have been scheduled to be taken up for debate.

Immediately after the Government Business is over Second Reading of the following Incorporation Bills; Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers of Sri Lanka and Chiththa Advanced Psychological Studies Open Institute of Sri Lanka have been scheduled.

Thereafter, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government will be taken up.

On the 10th of January 2024 from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allotted for 04 Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister. Thereafter, time has been allotted for 05 Questions for Oral Answers from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.

Thereafter, from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. the debate on the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Bill (Second Reading) which was previously adjourned on 08th November 2023 will be taken up for the second consecutive day.

Furthermore, the Second Reading of the Recognition and Enforcement of International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation Bill, Mediation Board (Amendment) Bill, Powers of Attorney (Amendment) Bill, Notaries (Amendment) Bill and the Prevention of Frauds (Amendment) Bill will also be taken up for consideration.

From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. two Questions at the Adjournment Time will be taken up thereafter.

On the 11th of January 2024 from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. time has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers. Thereafter, from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. the Adjournment Debate to be moved by the Opposition will be taken up.

On the 12th of January 2024 from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. time has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers. Thereafter, from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. time has been allotted for Private Members’ Motions and the following Motions will be taken up for debate.

Accordingly, Ensuring welfare for migrant workers by Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri, Strict regulation of microfinance institutions and leasing companies by Hon. (Mrs.) Kokila Gunawardene, Educating the public on the nutritious value of traditional, local rice varieties by Hon. Buddhika Pahthirana, Establishment of Tea small holding system in place of Tea Industry by Hon. Velu Kuma and Issuance of a circular outlining the methodology to be followed in school development activities by Hon. Sagara Kariyawasam will be taken up.

From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. two Questions at the Adjournment Time will be taken up thereafter.

News

UN Rights chief türk to visit Sri Lanka this month

Published

on

By

The United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk will visit
Sri Lanka this month or early July, a Foreign Ministry source confirmed. No dates have been finalised for the visit, though the government has agreed to the visit by Mr. Turk.

It’ll be the first time in nine years that a UN Human Rights Commissioner will be visiting Sri Lanka, the last being Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein in February 2016 during Maithripala Sirisena’s presidencyMr. Turk, an Austrian national who took up his duties in October 2022, will visit at a time the government grapples with how it will address human rights concerns raised by the international

community.

In his report to the UN body in August last year, just ahead of
Sri Lanka’s presidential and parliamentary elections, Mr. Turk said the newly elected government should recommit to addressing the root causes of conflict and undertake fundamental constitutional and institutional reforms to address the accountability gap and work towards reconciliation.

These include the immediate moratorium on the Prevention of Terrorism Act and assurances that any replacement legislation is consistent with international human rights law, repeals or amends existing laws or proposed laws that unduly restrict the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, association, and peaceful assembly, including the Online Safety Act and the ICCPR Act.

Mr. Turk’s predecessor Michelle Bachelet requested a visit to
Sri Lanka, but the matter was put under consideration, and the visit did not materialise.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) set up the Sri Lanka accountability project, an external evidence-gathering mechanism within the OHCHR, during Ms Bachelet’s period in office, a move strongly opposed by the government.

The OHCHR says that as of July 5, 2024, the repository established within the framework of the OHCHR project comprises 96,215 items and contains information from more than 470 different sources (more than 220 witnesses and 250 organisations), including international and multilateral organisations.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who addressed the high-level segment of the UNHRC in March this year, rejected the OHCHR Sri Lanka project and outlined government plans for a credible and sound domestic process to address accountability issues in the country.

“We will ensure that the domestic mechanisms and processes established to address challenges emanating from the conflict will continue their work in an independent and credible manner within the constitutional framework,” the minister told the UNHRC.

Despite a visit by the Human Rights Commissioner, the government will remain opposed to any international legal options to advance accountability in Sri Lanka and maintain that there are adequate domestic mechanisms to address accountability issues.

(sundaytimes.lk)

Continue Reading

News

Trade unionist Ranjan Jayalal takes helm as Kaduwela Mayor

Published

on

By

Prominent trade union leader Ranjan Jayalal has officially been appointed as the new Mayor of the Kaduwela Municipal Council.

Jayalal, a key member of the Ceylon Electricity Board Employees’ Union and a strong advocate for labor rights, was nominated by the National People’s Power (NPP) following their recent victory at the local government elections.

His appointment was formally confirmed through the government gazette issued by the Election Commission on May 31.

Continue Reading

News

Sri Lanka must take practical steps to join BRICS – Russian Ambassador

Published

on

By

If Sri Lanka is interested in joining the BRICS alliance, the country must take practical steps, says the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Jagaryan.

Speaking during an event at the Bandaranaike International Centre for International Studies in Colombo, Ambassador Levan S. Jagaryan said Russia and China have been offering support to Sri Lanka, but he has not seen adequate interests from the Sri Lankan side.

Responding to a question raised by a journalist about Sri Lanka joining BRICS, the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka said, he has been questioned about the matter on several occasions.

Ambassador Levan S. Jagaryan said, “Last October, on the 1st, I met with President Anura Kumar Dissanayake and brought with me an invitation letter from the President of Russia, inviting Sri Lanka to participate in the BRICS summit. I spoke with a language interpreter, but I don’t know if the translation was accurate. The President told me that due to the upcoming general elections, he wouldn’t be able to visit Russia. If Sri Lanka is to join BRICS, it’s not just a matter of Russia; all the member countries need to agree, and there are several steps to take before that happens.”

Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jagaryan stated that he has not seen much interest at the moment and therefore requested Sri Lanka to take some practical steps, if it is serious about joining BRICS.

(adaderana.lk)
(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved